Dipsophobia | Fear of Drinking

(dip-so-fow-be-ah)

What is Dipsophobia?

Dipsophobia is known as an abnormal and persistent fear of drinking, usually referring to alcohol. Sufferers of this phobia experience undue anxiety about addiction to alcohol and the effects of alcoholism.

Dipsophobia is considered a specific phobia and it is closely related to Methyphobia and Potophobia (which both mean the fear of alcohol, drinking alcohol, or becoming an alcoholic).

The root word 'dipso' is Greek meaning 'thirsty' and the word 'phobia' comes from the Greek word ‘phóbos’ meaning 'fear.'

Causes of Dipsophobia

Dipsophobia is a specific (or “isolated”) phobia, centered on non-social key factors. Isolated phobias tend to have some previous trauma (often in childhood and often physically injurious) as a root cause; a fear of bees may stem from an injury in childhood, for instance.

Upbringing can also play a role, such as parental warnings about a direct threat (such as “snakes can bite and kill you”) which is especially notable in cases where a threat is more imminent. (An allergy to bees or peanut butter, for instance, would naturally reinforce a real medical concern.)

It is thought that genetics and hereditary factors may play a role in specific phobias, especially those related to a danger of injury. (A primal “fight or flight” reflex may be more easily triggered in those with a genetic predisposition, for instance.)

By contrast, social phobias (like a fear of body odor or touch) are less well-understood, are driven by social anxiety, and are broadly labeled as “social anxiety disorder”.

In all kinds of phobias, external experiences and / or reports can further reinforce or develop the fear, such as seeing a family member or friend who is affected. In extreme cases, indirect exposures can be as remote as overhearing a reference in conversation, seeing something in the news, on TV, or in the movies.

Dipsophobia, like most phobias, stems from a subconscious overprotection mechanism, and as with many phobias can also be rooted in an unresolved emotional conflict.

Dipsophobia can arise from a fear of losing control. Some religions forbid alcohol, which can underlie the development of this phobia as well.

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